Temperature controller



Sept. 28 1926. l,601,408

` A. J. NELsoN TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER v med Nov. 15, '1922 v ssneets-sneet 1 'sem 223,1926. 1501,408

A. J. NELsoN TEIPERATURE CONTROLLER Filed Ngv. 15, 1922 s Sheets-'Shut 2i States Letters Patent No. 1,175,1.71.

mechanism and the stabilizing valve mechanism are respectively supplieclwith air under suitable pressure admitted to the respective inlet pipes25 and 26.

The controlling apparatus is, asto its principal Operating parts,mounted upon a suitable back board or plate- 27 and is enclosed in anouter casng 28 through the front of which the several adjustments may beeffected.

For a description of the principal operating parts of the stabilizing`valve mechanism, reference may be had to my previous United As in saidpatent, the numeral 2.9 in licates a bulb element which is inserted intothe vulcanizing chamber and is connected to the expansible sealedcapsule 30 by means of a small tube 31. Between the point where the saidtube 31 enters the casino` and where it enters the socket of the bulbelement E29, the tube 31 is protected against breakage or damageby meansof a jacket or tubular armored caslng 32. The bulb 29 contains a smallquantity of fluid of such composition as to cause the desired expansivemovement of the capsule 30 between the prescribed limits or range forwhich the apparatus is designed.

The capsule 30 is interposed between a pair of relatively movablemembers or abutments, one of which comprises a stabilizing valve 33 inconnection with which the expansion or contraction of the capsule 30controls the pressure in line 14 and hence the temperature of the steamin the vulcanizer. while the other member or abutment is normallystationary, but may be moved toward or from the valve mechanism 33 by atimecontrolled mechanism according' to a desired program. The valvemechanism 33 may be. of any desired type, is not claimed hereinSPCCfiCnT/i aIld in view of the fact that it is particularly describedand set forth in the patent above mention-ed, it is, perhaps,unnecessary to describe same in detail, It is sufcient to state thatwhen the plunger 34 is engaged by the movable diaphragm of the capsule30 and pushed outwardly toward the front` of the apparatus,communication is established between theair pressure line 26 and thepipe 14 which actuates the diaphragm valve 13 and hence shuts off orthrottles steam flowing' into the Chamber 10 through pipe 11. It will beobserved that the body 35, in which are formed valve passages and whichcarries the valve actuated by plunger 34, is mounted within an outertubular casing' 36 fixed to the frame of the ap- 35 to be moved towardor away from the capsule 30 by means of a key or wrench applied to thesquare end 39 of the valve body which extends through the front plate ordial 40. A pointer 41 fixed on the end' of the valve body 35 serves toindicate the temperature. for which the stabilizing valve is set. lhenumeral 42 represents merely a closure or plug` screwed into the end ofthe valve body 35 and, besides furnishing an abutment for the valvespring` 43, enables the valve parts to be withdrawn and repaired orcleaned by merely unscrewing the said piu g.

The cut-off valve mechanism which is illustrated in section in Fig. 4,comprises a stationary valve casing 44 having` inlet and Outlet passages45 and 46 formed therein and respectively communicating with the airpressure line 25 and the pipe 24. The passage 45 communicates with anair pocket 47 in the bottom of which is drilled a Vertical bore throughwhich slides the loosely fitting` stem 48 of the valve 49. Said -valve49 normally is pressed up again its seat 50 by means of a plunger 51,the lower end of which is forced upwardly by the a rm or lever 52, therear end of which is pivoted on a horizontally extendmg stationary pm53. The front end of said lever 52 is enlarged as shown at 54 to form aweight which serves to swing the lever 52 downwardly when permitted todo so by the latch mechansm. Through the front of the casino 28 thereeX- tends a small pin 55, the inner end of which is secured in a lug` 56on the end of the lever 54, while the outer end 57 is rounded tofacilitate handling` by the finger of the ope atoit The adjustment ofthe thermostatic or stabilizing` valve mechanism and also the cuto'tfvalve mechanism, that is to say, the latch, are both operated orcontrolled by a single clock mechanism, and by the word clock l intendto include all devices having a continuous or substantially continuousmovement, the extent of which movement is governed by time.. In its mostconvenient form, said time motor or clock comprises a suitable primemover, such as a clock spring, suitable `g'ears and also an escapement,all contained within a case 58 attached to the backboard 27 of thecontrolling' apparatus casing. Out of said clock case 58 extends thesquare end of the swinging spindle 59 by means of which the spring maybe wound from time. to time, as it becomes relaxed by use, and also amain spindle 60, one revolution'of which preferably requires a somewhat`greater length of time than the maximum period for which the apparatusis designed.

-In the present case, the shaft 60 is arranged to make a completerevolution once in four hours.

The end of the shaft 60 is equipped with the usual clutch mechanismthrough which porting post 96. Hence spring 106 constant- -ly tends toswing latch 99 into the position shown in Fig. v5 so as to 'support thevalve lever 54.

There is also mounted to oscillate upon the vpivot pin 98 an 'auxiliaryarm or lever 108 co'axial with the latch 99 and overlying the tailportion 103 of said latch 99. Said arm 108 is made with an outturned lug109 which is connected to the lug 104 of latch 99 by means of a smallcoiled tension spring 110 which spring normally draws the arm 108 vtothe left of Fig. 5 so that the left hand edge of the arm 108 engages thelug 104 of latch 99, said lug 104 thus operating as a' stop or -abutmentto compel the latch arm 99 to move with the arm 108 when said arm ismoving toward the left in clockwise direction. Then the arm 108 is movedin the other direction, the spring 110 merely expands while the latch 99remains stationary by reason of its upper end engaging against the sideof the valve lever 54.

On the lower end ofl the arm 108 is a depending finger or extension 111on the end of which is fixed a pin 112 so positioned as to lie in thepath of movement of a small dog or cam 113 pr-ojecting from a trip block114 secured to the periphery of the dial 115 of the Wheel 62. As shownbest in Figs. 3 and 5, said block 114 is milled out to fit over the edgeof the dial 115 and is secured in place thereon in any desired positionby means of a set screw 116.

In view of the above description of the detials of the arrangement, theoperation of same may be readily explained.

In the example illustrated, Fig. 2 shows the position of the parts afterthe clock has been wound up and with the parts in the position occupiedat the commencement of the process. It will be seen thatI the trip block114 has been set at the graduation mark 11/(2, the total time duringwhich heating fiuid is to be supplied, being in this instance 11/2hours. V It will also be observed that the zero on the dial scale isvertically above the axis of'the dial and that the gear or pinion 69meshes with the mutilated gear 67 at a point spaced from the termination117 of said gear a distance corresponding to onehalf hour on the scale.This is for the purpose of providing a g'adual temperature rise duringthe first half hour of the process.

By reason of the latch 99 holding up the valve lever 54, the passage ofcompressed air from the air line to the pipe 24 and diaphragm valve 22is prevented, and hence,

the blow-offI valve 19, which is of the reverse action type is closed,permitting the vulcanizing receptacle or tank 10 to fill up with steamentering through valve 12.

lVhen the steam is first turned into pipe 11 at the commencement of theoperation, thev bulb 29, being cold, the volatile fluid there` incontained is ineifective to expand the capsule and hence thethermostatically-controlled valve remains Closed, preventing compressedair from owiiig from air line 26 into pipe 14. Thus the diaphragm valve13 is not actuated and the admission valve 12 remains open. As soon asthe steam flowing into the tank 10 heats up the bulb 29 to thepredetermined starting temperature for which the thermostatic valve hasbeen set, for example 2500 F. the capsule 30 expands and opens saidvalve against action of spring 43, permitting air under pressure to flowfrom the air line 26 into pipe 14, thus actuating the diaphragm valve 13and closing, or partially closing the steam valve 12.0 l-lence, thetemperature of the tank, at the commencement of the operation, will bemaintained at 250, which temperature 'would remain constant if it werenot for the fact that during the first half hour of the process, thecapsule 30 is being gradually inoved away from the thermostatic valve,thereby compelling the capsule 30 to expand more and more before it canactuate the thermostatic valve. Said greater expansion of the capsule 30obviously demands a greater' pressure of the volatile fiuid in bulb 29,and hence a higher temperature in receptacle 10, therefore thetemperature in said receptacle 10 gradually rises. The gradual movementof the capsule away from the thermostatic valve is efiected as follows.Then the dial Wheel 62 commences to revolve in the direction of thearrow 118, the mutilated gear 67 turns pinion 68 and with the latterpinion 70, which pinion 70 rotates gear 71 on shaft 72. The rotation ofshaft 72, by reason of the threads 81 turning in tihe threaded lug 79,causes the shaft 72 to move outwardly, rooking lever 84 in ananti-clockwise direction, (see Fig. 3) and thus moving the capsule 30away from the thermostatic valve.

After the lapse of' 30 minutes time, the mutilated gear 67 has beenrotated intosuch position that its linal tooth 117 passes out of meshwith pinion 69 and no further bodily movement of the capsule 30 takesplace. Hence the temperature thereafter during the remainder of theheating process is maintained constant. It will be manifest that thefinal temperature to which the tank has gradually been raised during thefirst 30 minutes of the process can be varied by Changing the pitch ofthe treads 81 on shaft 72, the number of teeth in pinion 68 or thenumber of teeth in pinion 70. Also the length of the period during whichthe temperature is being gradually elevated may be varied by lengtheningor shortening the effective arc of the mutilated gear 67. Also, ifdesired, the apparatus can be arranged for an initial rise oftemperature, an interval of constant temperature and a further rise intemperature by providinga second segmental gear Separated from the firstsegment-al gear 67 by a blank space. Other variations or adjustiiientswill readilyf-occurl to those skilled in the art.

I stated that the apparatus is set for a heatino` Jeriod of 110 hours. tthe end of such period the tripH lock l1141 has been rotated into thefinal position shown in dotted lines at 119 iii Fig. 2, the lug 113 thenstriking the pin 112 and rocking arm- 108 in clockwise direction.I-Ience latcli 99y will be tripped permitting lever 54'to descend andallow the valveI 49 to open. Air pressure will then flow from air line25 into pipe 24' and, as previously described, this-will result in theclosing of the steam valve 12 and opening of the blow-oif valve 19. (v

If desired, the descent of the lever 54, by reason of the termination ofthe process, can be announced by Va'signal lamp 120,,tl1e circuit ofwhich is closed by a set of Contacts 121 and 122.

After the latcli has been tripped by dog` 113, the dial wheel continuesits -movenient under the influence ofl the clock until the further'rotation oftlie latter is prevented by any desired means, such as Vastop ona brake, as is'well understood by those skilled in the art. lVhentheapparatusis reset, the lug 113 is enabled to` Wipe past the pin 112by reason of spring 109 Vpermitting .inde-.

pendent rotary movement of the arm108 and latch 99 as shown in Fig. 5.

In order to insure against a slip in the inesh of pinion 68 andVmutilated gear 67 for any cause, I prefer to place a Vmark 123 on thefront side of pinion 71, which mark should assume a definite position,in this instance Vertical, when the apparatus isset back to zero at thecommencement ofthe process. Iowever, many thousands of tests havedemonstrated'that there is nocdanger of such an occurrence, if theapparatus is handled with ordinary care.V v

The described details of construction and operation being merelyillus'trative `of a single phase of my invention, the scope of sameshould be determined by reference to the appended clams, said claimsbeing construed as broadly as possible, consistent with the state of theart. V V

I'claim as my invcntion: 4 V V V 1. In controlling` apparatus, thecombination of an expansible motor element respon-` sive to changes inthe coiidition ofa body of fluid, a pair of relatively movable membersbetween which said motor'element is interposed, means controlled bymovementof one of said members for stabilizing said condition, atime-contro-lled motor, and a toothed gear train driven by said motorduringa portion only of its movement for effectingv i'elative inovementof said members, tliereby to vary said condition.

2. In controlling apparatus, the combination of a capsule expansible byrise of temperaturein a body of fluid, a pair of relatively movablemembers between which said capsule is interposed, means controlled bymovement of one of said members for controlling` said temperature, aclock, and a toothed gear driven by said clock during a portion only ofits inovemeiit for eifecting relative movement of said members, therebyto eifectia substantially uniforin and gradual change in saidtemperature during said gear-actuated movement.

3. In apparatus for controlling temperature or pressure according'to a.predeterinined program, the `combination ,of means for controlling thecondition of a: body of fluid, a clock, mechanisin including a geartrain having` a m'utilated gear, a shiftable shaft actuated thereby, anda thermostatic valve release actuated by the movementV of said clock foreifecting a positive and gradual change during a portion oiily of themoveinent of said clock in the effectof said condition-controlling meansand independent trip mechanismalso actuated by said clock forterminating` said condition.

45. In controlling apparatus,-the combination ofanenpansiblemotorelement responsive to changes in the condition of abody.

of vfluid, a pairof members between which saidl motor [element isinterposed Vand relativelyV movable by 4said element, means controllingbody movement of one of said members for stabili'zing said condition, aclock and .-an intermittent tootlied geary train driven bysaid motorduring* a portion only of itsmovement for ,effecting relative movementof said members, thei'eby'to varysaidl condition.

' 5,. lIn lcontrolling apparatus, the combination of a capsuleexpansible by rise of temperature in a bodyof fluid, a pairv ofmembersrelatively inovable by expansioii of said capsule, means actuatedby said relative movenient for controlling said temperature, a clock, arotary gear ti'ain driven by saidv lmovement of said clock, a screwdriven by said gear train for varying' the effect of saidcondition-conti'oliing means and independent m'echanisml also actuatedby said clock for terminating said condition.

7.. In controlling apparatus, the'combination of an expansible motorelement responsive to changes in the condition of a body of liuid, apair of members relatively inovable by inovement of said motor element,means controlled by morement of one of said members for stabilizing saidcondition, a time-controlled motor, and a gear train driven bv saidmotor during a portion only of its nioven'ient for eti'ccting relativemoveinont of said members thereby to vary said condition eomprising arotary gear permanently connected to the element but intermittentlyconnected with the clock.

8. In controlling apparatus the combination of an expansible capsule andmeans for adjusting said capsule coinprising a clock provided with amutilated gear driven by said clock Va gear meshing with said mutilatedgear during a portion of the movement of the latter and means drivinglyconnecting said capsule with said last-named gear.

'9. In controlling apparatus the combination of an expansible capsuleand means for adjusting said capsule comprising a clock provided with amutilated gear driven by said clock, a gear meshing With said mutilatedgear during a portion of the movement of the latter, and means drivinglyconnecting said capsule with said last-named gear, said last-named meanscomprising a screw feed operated by Said last-named gear.

10. In controlling apparatus, the combination of a controlling valve, amember for actuating said valve, a second member spaced from said firstmember and carrying a capsule co-operating with said first member foractuatng` said valve by expansive movement of said capsule, a screw foreffecting substantially bodily movement of said second member towardssaid first member, a gear for Operating said screw, and a clock providedwith means driven thereby for actuating said ge-ar during a portion onlyof the movement of said clock.

11. In controlling apparatus, the combina. tion of a controlling valve,a member for actuating said valve, a second member spaced from saidfirst member and carrying a capsule co-operating with said first memberfor actuating said valve by expansive movement of 'said capsule, a screwfor elfecting substantially bodily movement of said second membertowards said first member, a gearl for Operating said screw, and a clockprovided with means driven thereby for actuating said' gear during aportion only of the movement of said clock, said last-named meanscomprising a segmental gear rotated -by said clock and intermittentlymeshing with said screw gear.

12. In. an apparatus for regulating the temperature or pressure of amedium over a predetermined period, the combination of a valve forcontrolling the supply of fluid to said medium, a source of fluid underpressure for actuating said valve, a valve con-` trolling the fluid usedfor Operating said first valve, a latch for controlling said secondvalve, a clock, a dial driven by said clock and a dog adjustably mountedon said dial for tripping said latch during` the movement ofV the clock.

13. In combination, a cut-ofi valve for shutting off a fluid supply, alever Vfor controlling said valve, a latch co-operating with said leverto maintain the same in position to hold said valve in position topermit flow of fiuid, a clock, a wheel driven by said clock and providedat its circumference with a circumferentially adjustable block adaptedto trip said latch when the clock is running, and means permittingmovement of said block past said latch by a reverse movement of saidWheel when Setting the clock.

14. In combination, a cut-od valve for shutting off a fluid` supply, alever for controlling said valve, a latch co-operating withv said leverto maintain the same in position tohold said valve in position to permitflow of fluid, a clock, a Wheel driven by said clock and provided at itscircumference With a circumferentially adjustable block adapted to tripsaid latch when the clock is running,

and means permitting movement of saidblockpast said latch by a reversemovement of said Wheel when Setting the clock, said last-named 3 meansVcomprising` anv auxiliary member movable independently of said latch inone direction only but through which said latch is actuated when theblock is moved by the clock. v 1

V15. In combnation, valve mechanism, a valve-controlling member, apivoted latch for controlling the position of said lever, a pivoted triparm adapted to trip said latch when said arm is moved in one directionbut adapted to move without actuating said trip when said arm is movedin the otherdireci tion, a clock and a trip member driven by said clockfor engaging said trip arm to trip said latch at a predetermined pointin the running period of said clock. f

16. In controllng appara-tus, the combination of an expansible motorelement responsive to changes in the condition of a body of fluid, apair of relatively movablemembers between which said motor element isinterposed, meansV controlled by moveme'nt of one of said members forstabilizing said condition, aV time-controlled motor, and a toothed geartrain including a mutilated gear driven by said motor during a portiononly of its movement for elfecting relative movement of said members,thereby to vary said condition. V

17. In controlling apparatus, the combination Vof a capsule expansibleby rise of temperature in a body of fluid, a pair of relatively movablemembers between which said ili) movement of one of said members for conltrolling said temperature, a clock, and va toothed gear including amutilated gear driven by said clock during a portion only of itsmovement for efiecting relative movement of said members, thereby toeffect a substantially 'uniform and gradual change in said temperatureduring said gear-actuated movement..

18. In apparatus for controlliiig temperature or pressure according to apredetermined program, the combination of mea-ns for controlling thecondition of a body of fluid, a clock, mechanisinincluding a mutilatedgea-r actuated by the m'ovement of said clock for effecting a positiveand Vgradual change during a portion only of the movement of said clockin the effect of said condition-controlling means and independentInechanism also actuated by said clock for terminating said con-dition.

19. In controlling apparatus, the combinetion of an expansble motorelement respons'ive to changes in the condition ofya body of fluid, apa-ir of members between which said motor element is interposed andrelatively movable by said element, means con- 'trolling body movementof one of said members for stabilizing said condition, a clock, and anintermittenttoothed gear train including a mutilated gear driven by saidmotor during a portion only of its movement for effecting relativemovement of said members, thereby to vary said condition.

ALBIN J. NELSON.

